Washington: Multiple gunshots were fired from a moving vehicle outside the Delaware residence of US Vice President Joe Biden, the Secret Service said on Sunday as it launched an investigation into the incident.

Biden and his family were not at home when the firing happened last night at around 8.25 pm local time.

According to Secret Service spokesman, Robert Hoback, at about 8.25 pm residents of the Biden's neighbourhood saw a vehicle drive past at a high speed, fleeing the scene.

About 30 minutes later, a vehicle tried to pass a New Castle County police officer securing the outer perimeter of Biden's residence, which resulted in the driver being arrested and charged with resisting arrest, officials said.

The driver is being questioned.

The Delaware home, where Bidens spend many weekends and commute back to Washington for the work week, is several hundred yards from the main road where the shots rang out.

Security has been beefed up in and around the residence and also that of Vice President and his family too.

"The Secret Service is working closely with the New Castle County Police on investigating this incident," the Secret Service said in a statement.